Page 30 of Back to December
“That was actually really sweet,” I mumble.
She drops the pillow, then flops onto the bed again. “I told you everything, La. Why can’t you do the same?”
“To be fair, Ella. It’s pretty complicated. We dated in high school?—”
She gasps and sits back up. “Oh, my gosh! Youdidhave boys climb through your window!”
Bridget’s eyes volley between us. “I hate when y’all do this.”
“It was notboys. It was one… boy.” I knew when I teased her about that last week she’d latch onto it like a sweet little spider monkey.
She crosses her legs, her cozy slippers with pumpkins on them bobbing as she chews on what she wants to say.
“I’m sorry I threw pillows. But Iknewsomething was up when Holden came by the farm earlier to drop off his adorable gingerbread people. He flushed when he mentioned you. The unresolved tension thing is more than I expected, though. Thanks for that Bridget. Now I’m going to dissect everything they do around each other.”
I ignore her last comment and latch onto the part she said about Holden flushing when he mentioned me. That’s so sweet.
And it makes my insides all fluttery.
“His gingerbread people are really adorable,” I grumble. “And delicious.”
“I like how you sidestepped the whole ‘unresolved tension’ part.” Bridget drops onto the bed, opposite Ella.
It feels good for all of us to be in one place like this again, especially when I don’t know what’s coming next. I haven’t missedthispart though.
Ella is quiet. When I face her, she’s studying me like I’m a test she needs to pass.
“You’re different. I feel bad I didn’t say something before now, but you’re actually glowing. You look happy, Laila.”
Bridget reaches across and grabs my face, squishing my cheeks like we used to do when we were kids. “I don’t know if I’d say you’re glowing…”
I slap her arm away.
“Maybe I am happier here. Enchanted Hollow always does this to me. It’s like I can breathe again.”
A beat too late, I realize what I’ve said. I’m not sure who looks more shocked.
“Again?”They both shout.
Ella has a pillow again, and I scoot away from the bed. “You know? I liked it better when you were too busy to meddle.”
“Better to meddle thankeep secrets!” Ella exclaims. “How many times have you been back here?”
I wince. “You won’t like that answer.”
Bridget sighs.
“It’s just one weekend a year. It’s not like I come for long trips. I just… It’s nice to feel like I belong somewhere.”
I’m pretty sure you could hear a pin drop in the room right now.
“Colorado never felt like it did here,” Bridget agrees. “I can’t blame you. I’m surprised, but I understand.”
“Is that the only reason you come here?” Ella asks.
Of course not. But when I walk through town, it reminds me of cozy movies we watch back in our apartment. Vivid colors and clear air, a sense of peace you can’t find anywhere else. Cobblestone roads and old buildings, and a way of life that settles you in a time where the world wasn’t so urgent.
Everything moves more slowly here. It feels safe.
